Audiobooks narrated by Sian Philips

The Susan Hill BBC Radio Drama Collection: 14 Full-Cast Dramas

"An extensive collection of full-cast dramatisations and long-lost original radio plays by Dame Susan Hill Award-winning author Dame Susan Hill is best known for her hit ghost story The Woman in Black and her popular ‘Simon Serailler’ detective series, but she has also written extensively for radio. This audio anthology includes full-cast adaptations of two of her early novels, plus an additional 12 BBC Radio plays, many of them available for the very first time since their original broadcasts. Gentlemen and Ladies tells of the friendship and loneliness of a family living in a small Midland village, while Strange Meeting explores the relationship between two young subalterns in the First World War. These moving dramatisations star Patricia Hayes, Stephanie Cole, Martin Jarvis and David Timson. Themes of interdependence and isolation run through all Hill’s radio plays, which she describes as dealing with ‘human beings in confrontation’. In Taking Leave, a nephew visits the family he barely knows; in Lizard in the Grass, an orphan living in a clifftop convent is persecuted by one of the nuns, in The Cold Country, tempers fray when four explorers become snowbound in Antarctica and in Consider the Lilies, an ageing bachelor who sees angels finds himself drawn to a dying girl. Richard Hurndall, Helen Worth, Terry Scully, John Rollason and Tony Britton are among the star casts. A Window on the World focuses on students Nell (Patricia Gallimore) and Jess (Julie Hallam), who are mere observers of life – until one of them acts to alter the situation. Strip Jack Naked finds sick recluse James (Ian Richardson) shaken out of his austere existence by a visit from his estranged wife, but in The Sound that Time Makes, wife and mother Fay (Patricia Gallimore) is obsessively haunted by her schooldays. And with her wedding approaching, Helena (Carole Hayman) struggles to let go of her childhood in Here Comes the Bride. Chances features two interlinked monologues, read by Dames Judi Dench and Peggy Ashcroft, in which an Irish maid at a seaside hotel ponders her life, and a guest remembers better days and higher standards. A dying Frenchwoman summons her estranged daughter in Out in the Cold, starring Pauline Letts and Fiona Walker. Finally, Winter and Autumn focus on two couples, one elderly and resident in an old folks’ home, the other middle-aged and attempting to escape the past by moving house. Doreen Mantle, Cyril Luckham, June Brown and Bernard Hepton star as the spouses searching for meaning and connection. Copyright © Susan Hill 1968 (Gentlemen and Ladies), 1971 (Strange Meeting, Taking Leave, Lizard in the Grass), 1972 (The Cold Country), 1973 (Consider the Lilies), 1975 (A Window on the World, Strip Jack Naked), 1980 (The Sound that Time Makes, Here Comes the Bride), 1981 (Chances), 1982 (Out in the Cold), 1985 (Winter), 1986 (Autumn) Contents: Gentlemen and Ladies Strange Meeting Taking Leave Lizard in the Grass The Cold Country Consider the Lilies A Window on the World Strip Jack Naked The Sound that Time Makes Here Comes the Bride Chances Out in the Cold Winter Autumn Copyright © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Susan Hill (Author), David Timson, Full Cast, Ian Richardson, Judi Dench, June Brown, Martin Jarvis, Patricia Gallimore, Patricia Hayes, Peggy Ashcroft, Sian Philips, Stephanie Cole (Narrator)

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The Dylan Thomas BBC Radio Collection: Under Milk Wood, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Rebecca’s Daug

"Matthew Rhys introduces this collection of plays, poems and prose by the great Welsh writer, featuring Dylan Thomas reading his own work plus bonus biographical plays based on his life 'A spellbinding homage' The Guardian 'Sure to satisfy every admirer of Dylan Thomas’ works from the most ardent aficionados to casual poetry lovers... Thomas demonstrates his gift for seeing the beauty in the ordinary and affectionately ribbing the frailties of the human condition.' Entertainment Focus Dylan Thomas was the 20th Century's first rock star author, famed for his dazzling imaginative poetry and chaotic personal life. Best known for Under Milk Wood, he also wrote numerous poems, short stories and screenplays, and made regular BBC broadcasts. A legend in his own lifetime, he remained hugely popular after his death at the age of 39, influencing cultural icons from Bob Dylan to The Beatles. This definitive collection is presented by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason), who played Dylan Thomas in the 2008 film The Edge of Love. It begins with sunny, summery recollections in ‘Holiday Memory’, which sees Dylan Thomas recalling an evocative August Bank Holiday, followed by A Child's Christmas in Wales, dramatised with a full cast including Philip Madoc and Freddie Jones. Two Thomas masterpieces follow: ‘Quite Early One Morning’, in which Dylan Thomas reads the story that later became Under Milk Wood, and then Under Milk Wood itself, a masterpiece and a lyrical 'play for voices' focusing on one day in the life of a Welsh fishing village and starring Richard Burton as the Narrator. Next, Dylan Thomas’s unfilmed screenplay The Beach of Falesá, adapted from a Robert Louis Stevenson short story. Narrated by Matthew Rhys and starring Matthew Gravelle and Nicky Henson, it tells the thrilling tale of the clash between good and evil on an unnamed Pacific Island. A less sinister seaside trip is recalled in ‘The Outing’, Thomas's story of a childhood excursion read by Matthew Rhys and interspersed with memories from Swansea residents and music from the 1920s and '30s. We hear from Thomas in his own words in ‘A Return Journey to Swansea’, followed by four readings of his short stories narrated by Siân Philips, Geraint Morgan, Iestyn Jones and William Thomas. Rebecca's Daughters, a romantic adventure set in 19th Century Wales, stars Patrick Mower. Dylan Thomas tells of a rollercoaster experience of a lecture tour across the US in ‘A Visit to America’, and in The Voice of Dylan Thomas, introduced by Douglas Cleverdon, we hear him reading a choice selection of his works. Our final programmes are three original plays based on moments in Dylan Thomas’s life: Badgers in My Vest by John Fletcher, Investigating Mr Thomas by Rob Gittins and Chelsea Dreaming by D J Britton. We join Thomas in a Newquay pub during World War II, follow private detective Jimmy as he tries to dig the dirt on Thomas, and see the poet through the eyes of the Chelsea Hotel. Contents Holiday Memory A Child's Christmas in Wales Quite Early One Morning Under Milk Wood The Beach of Falesá The Outing A Return Journey to Swansea Patricia, Edith and Arnold A Visit to Grandpa’s Extraordinary Little Cough The Followers Rebecca's Daughters A Visit to America The Voice of Dylan Thomas Badgers in My Vest Investigating Mr Thomas Chelsea Dreaming Text copyright © the estate of Dylan Thomas, 1940 (Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog), 1944 ('Quite Early One Morning'), 1945 ('A Child's Christmas in Wales'), 1946 ('Holiday Memory'), 1948 ('Rebecca's Daughters'), 1953 ('The Outing'), 1954 (Under Milk Wood), 1963 (The Beach of Falesá) Badgers in My Vest copyright © John Fletcher 2003 Investigating Mr Thomas copyright © Rob Gittens 2008 Chelsea Dreaming copyright © D J Britton 2003 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Dylan Thomas (Author), Dylan Thomas, Freddie Jones, Full Cast, Matthew Gravelle, Matthew Rhys, Patrick Mower, Philip Madoc, Richard Burton, Roger Allam, Sian Philips (Narrator)

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The Women in his Life: A BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A powerful billionaire who appears to have everything. The woman that holds the key. When a beautiful piece of music stirs mega-tycoon, Maximilian West, he remembers the women who have loved him and shaped his life. So begins a dazzling tale, taking us from the streets of London to the suites of New York, from the rise of Nazi Germany to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Strong, powerful, enigmatic, aloof, and adoring - many women made Maximilian the man with everything, but there is only one woman who can make him feel truly alive… Hear an unforgettable journey of sacrifice, secrets, love and redemption. Be mesmerised across all eight episodes of this sumptuous full-cast adaptation that will have you gripped from start to finish. Barbara Taylor Bradford is one of the world’s greatest storytellers, her books have sold over 92 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 40 languages. Her debut, A Woman of Substance, was an instant bestseller and she has established herself as one of the best-known writers of compelling stories with heart. Bert Coules has written several hugely successful radio and TV adaptations including the Brother Cadfael novels, works by Val McDirmid, Ian Rankin and The Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes series. “Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world’s best at spinning yarns.' The Guardian “Queen of the genre.” Sunday Times Cast and credits Written by Bert Coules Original story by Barbara Taylor Bradford Directed by Enyd Williams Pianist Michael Haslam Maximilian West - Robin Ellis Princess Irina Troubetzkoy - Dorothy Tutin Anastasia – Alexandra Bastedo Camilla Galland - Nicola Pagett Adriana Macklin - Joanna Munro Blair Martin – Alice Arnold Theodora/Teddy - Emma Fielding Ursula Westheim - Susannah Corbett Frau Westheim - Sonia Fraser Sister Constanza – Sian Phillips Aunt Ketti – Maria Charles Alix West - Elaine Pyke Michael West - Nicholas Fletcher Alan Trenton – Simon Williams Margot Derevenko – Pauline Jameson Willy Herzog - Kim Wall Mark Lewis – Christopher Scott Little Maxim - William Nichols Rose Young Maxim – Jonathan Kitchens Teenage Maxim- Robert Harper Teenage Alan – Alex Lowe Other parts played by Janet Maw, Chris Pavlo, Shirley Dixon, Jonathan Adams, Sean Baker, Colleen Prendergast, Rory Jennings, Denys Hawthorne, Joan Meredith First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, 22 Oct – 10 Dec 1996 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Barbara Taylor Bradford (Author), Alex Lowe, Alexandra Bastedo, Alice Arnold, Dorothy Tutin, Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Joanna Munro, Kim Wall, Nicola Pagett, Robin Ellis, Sian Philips (Narrator)

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The Archers: The Ambridge Players: Six BBC full-cast drama productions including Blithe Spirit, Cale

"Classic plays and ghost stories, as performed by the residents of Ambridge and friends - plus bonus drama Dead Girls Tell No Tales Borsetshire's queen of amateur theatricals, Lynda Snell, never misses the chance to put on a Christmas show. Her productions are always a big hit with Ambridge audiences - and now, Archers fans can enjoy these top-notch performances alongside them (as well as eavesdropping on the shenanigans backstage). In Blithe Spirit, the Ambridge Am-Dram Society and guest star Julian Rhind-Tutt recreate Noël Coward's ghostly masterpiece, and Lynda finds herself in sympathy with eccentric medium Madame Arcati as she attempts to conjure some festive high spirits. Calendar Girls sees the group taking on Tim Firth's comedy of jam and Jerusalem, along with honorary resident Siân Phillips (who starred in the original West End show). Will the intrepid cast really bare all? And in the 2-parter The Canterbury Tales, the company present barnstorming adaptations of Chaucer's classic stories of courtly love, deadly rivalry and boisterous sex - with a little bit of magic thrown in. In Ambridge Ghost Stories, it's a cold December night, in the darkened attic of Lower Loxley. Then Jim Llloyd (John Rowe) takes to the stage to recount three spine-chilling supernatural tales from the turn of the last century - 'The Room in the Tower' by E. F. Benson, 'Lost Hearts' by M. R. James and 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs. Prepare to be enthralled - and terrified... Also included are two special seasonal pageants, The Ambridge Mystery Plays- The Nativity and The Passion and a stunning original drama by Joanna Toye. Starring Eleanor Tomlinson and Ysette Churchman and Miles Jupp Dead Girls Tell No Tales explores the real story behind the death of Grace Archer: a watershed moment in the history of broadcasting and one of the defining cultural events of the 1950s. Production credits Blithe Spirit Written by Noël Coward Adapted and directed by Sean O'Connor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 December 2014 Calendar Girls The accompanying pianist was Simon Taranczuk Written by Tim Firth and based on the motion picture Calendar Girls written by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi. Adapted and directed by Sean O'Connor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 December 2015 The Canterbury Tales, Parts 1 & 2 Tellers of the Tales The Knight's Tale The Miller's Tale The Wife of Bath's Tale The Sailor's Tale The Pardoner's Tale The Friar's Tale The Franklin's Tale The Bailiff's Tale Written by Geoffrey Chaucer Dramatised by Nick Warburton. Directed by Kim Greengrass. Produced by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 December 2018-5 January 2019 The Ambridge Mystery Plays The Nativity The Passion First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26th December 2021 & 2nd January 2022 Ambridge Ghost Stories Abridged by Jeremy Osborne 'The Room in the Tower' written by E F Benson Produced and directed by Charlotte Davey 'Lost Hearts' written by M. R. James Produced and directed by Mel Ward 'The Monkey's Paw' written by W. W. Jacobs Produced and directed by Charlotte Davey First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 December 2019-1 January 2020 Dead Girls Tell No Tales Cast: Jon Culshaw, Pam Ferris, Lex Shrapnel, Eleanor Tomlinson, Georgie Fuller, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Sally Bretton, Simon Russell Beale, John Hopkins, Claudie Blakley, David Reed, Miles Jupp, Zeb Soanes, Paddy O'Connell, Ysanne Churchman, David Hounslow, Sam Dale, Chris Pavlo, Jessica Turner and Alex Tregear Written by Joanna Toye. Directed by Sean O'Connor First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 September 2015 ©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

E.F. Benson, M.R.James, Noel Coward, Tim Firth, W.W. Jacobs, William Chaucer (Author), Eleanor Bron, Felicity Finch, Full Cast, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Miles Jupp, Pam Ferris, Sian Philips, Timothy Bentinck, Trevor Harrison (Narrator)

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The L-Shaped Room, Backward Shadow & other stories: A BBC Radio 4 drama collection

"A full-cast adaptation of Lynne Reid Banks' bestselling novel, plus sequel The Backward Shadow and more Award-winning author Lynne Reid Banks is perhaps best known for her classic children's book The Indian in the Cupboard. But it was her groundbreaking debut novel for adults, The L-Shaped Room, that made her name. First published in 1960, it was an instant success, and has been in print ever since. This collection contains both The L-Shaped Room and sequel The Backward Shadow, as well as two stories specially written for BBC radio and a bonus edition of Bookclub. The L-Shaped Room - Jane is young, middle-class, single - and pregnant. Thrown out by her parents, she rents a squalid bedsit, where she struggles to overcome both her own prejudices and those of 1950s society. Starring Lynne Seymour as Jane, with John McAndrew as Toby. The Backward Shadow - Living with her baby in a cottage inherited from her aunt, Jane's quiet life is shaken up by the arrival of her friend Dottie and the reappearance of Toby, the love of her life ... Lynne Seymour stars as Jane, with Rachel Atkins as Dottie. Who Shall I Run To? - Sally recalls how she and ex-husband Jeremy celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Paris. Read by Siân Phillips. Lame Duck - Anne and her artist husband Lionel have three boys, and little time for going out - so they decide to take in a lodger who might be prepared to babysit occasionally. Sadly, things do not work out as planned... Starring Anne Rosenfeld as Anne and Manning Wilson as Lionel. Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks - Readers talk to the celebrated author about The L-Shaped Room, describing what it means to them and how it has changed their lives. Chaired by James Naughtie. Text copyright © Lynne Reid Banks 1960 (The L-Shaped Room), 1970 (The Backward Shadow), 1978 (Lame Duck), 2005 (Who Shall I Run To?) Cast and credits Written by Lynne Reid Banks The L-Shaped Room Jane - Lynne Seymour Toby - John McAndrew John - Trevor Laird Father - Bill Wallis Doris - Nickie Rainsford Mavis - Marie Gordon Price James - Simon Armstrong Dr Maxwell - John Rowe Jane 2/Dottie - Rachel Atkins Boss - Dave Bond Dr Graham - Richard Mitchley Terry - Robert Bowman Addy - Shirley Dixon Dramatised by Juliet Ace Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February-5 March 2004 The Backward Shadow Jane - Lynne Seymour Dottie - Rachel Atkins Toby - John McAndrew Henry - Simon Ludders Father/Ted - Don McCorkindale Billy Lee - Lesley Rooney Alan - Keiron Self Mrs Stephens - Manon Edwards Dora - Siriol Jenkins John - Trevor Laird Joanna - Nickie Rainsford Dramatised by Juliet Ace Prioduced and directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-27 May 2005 Who Shall I Run To? Read by Siân Phillips Produced by Emma Harding First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 August 2005 Lame Duck Cliff - Christopher Guard Anne - Anne Rosenfeld Lionel - Manning Wilson Jamie - Judy Bennett Terry - Delia Morgan Dan - Elizabeth Lindsay Jacky - Karen Archer Mr Brent, a publican - Bruce Beeby Mrs Brent - Jane Knowles Directed by David B Godfrey First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 January 1978 Bookclub: Lynne Reid Banks Presented by James Naughtie With Lynne Reid Banks and a live studio audience Produced by Dymphna Flynn First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 June 2010 ©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Lynne Reid Banks (Author), Anne Rosenfeld, Bill Wallis, Full Cast, John McAndrew, Lynne Seymour, Manning Wilson, Rachel Atkins, Sian Philips (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Sian Philips